The week-long event will see top chefs John Quigley, owner of the Red Onion in Glasgow, and Ian Brown, formerly of Glasgow's Ubiquitous Chip, go head to head in a Ready Steady Cook-style competition to see who can make the best chips.

The competition will be hosted by Seamas MacInnes, from the Merchant City's Cafe Gandolfi.

He said: "I will be making sure that it's a good clean fight on the night!"

Elsewhere, Prince Charles's chef Gary MacLean will give a royal food demonstration, preparing two-course meals at Clark and Sons in Clarkston on Tuesday August 31 and Thursday September 1.

The festival kicks off with a Farmers' Market in Clarkston on Saturday August 27 and ends with another market at Whitelee Windfarm, near Eaglesham, on September 4.

The event has a new sponsor in the Whole Foods Market, whose first Scottish store opens in Giffnock in November.

Store manager Darren Campbell said: "Whole Foods Market is absolutely delighted to get involved with the East Renfrewshire Food Festival. We are committed to supporting Scottish producers, so getting involved in our local Food Festival is really a perfect partnership for us."

East Renfrewshire Council launched the festival with VIP reception at Clark and Sons in Clarkston.

The event featured food prepared by Gary MacLean, who cooks for Prince Charles when he is in residence at Dumfries House.

For tickets visit www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk